Updated 02.04.2020
Firstly, we would like to acknowledge the work and support that our Fellows, Members and SpRs are providing throughout the current COVID-19 pandemic. We also acknowledge the support of their families and loved ones. The Faculty understands that this is an evolving situation and this page will be updated as required.
With the numbers of those contracting COVID-19 ever increasing no doubt the health service will be under increased pressure. It is likely that our Trainers and SpRs will be required to focus all of their efforts on providing care to those who are ill. Our SpRs may be redirected within the service and this will, of course, impact on training activities.
Patient care is, as always, a priority together with patient directed services and providing appropriate supervision to your activities both within and outside of your normal scope of practice (as per Irish Medical Council guidelines).
During these challenging times, we must endeavour, to the best of our ability, to continue with our specialist training, education and standards and at the same time being cognisant of the health and wellbeing of our SpRs and Trainers.
The Faculty of Radiologists have been working on the following to try to minimise the impact on training and education:
All training activities are constantly under review and we have requested all tutors to record their lectures on PanoptoTM. We have emailed and will continue to update SpRs and Tutors regarding mandatory courses and study days.
We recommend that any SpR who has been deployed to a different clinical area must undergo appropriate induction and be informed of who they should report to as well as who is to provide clinical supervision. SpRs must also inform the Faculty if they are redeployed.
The Faculty of Radiologists will work in line with the HSE to ensure that SpRs work within the limits of their competence and appropriate to their stage of training/specialty.
SpRs must be supported during this period. The Faculty of Radiologists and HSE will work together to provide health and wellbeing support to SpRs.
Health & Wellbeing
Health and wellbeing support is available to all SpRs. We refer you to the link on our website:
https://radiology.ie/images/Contacts_for_wellbeing_from_newsletter.pdf
Health and wellbeing services remain open.
For immediate phone support please refer to the HSE Employee Assistance Programme
The COVID-19 situation is rapidly evolving and is being closely monitored by the Faculty of Radiologists. Regular updates will be published under the members section of our website www.radiology.ie
1st Year SpRs 2019 - 2020
Under normal circumstances, you would need to have passed your year 1 assessment prior to going on-call. Due to the rapid transmission of COVID-19, it may be necessary for you to partake in on-call duties earlier. Therefore we are asking that all SpRs undertake the On-Call Radiopaedia Course, the cost of same will be covered by the Faculty. Detail for course access will be forwarded as soon as possible. Dr Patrick McLaughlin, Change Healthcare is also working on a teaching aid that will complement the Radiopaedia course prior to going on call.
3rd Year Rotation Updates
At the request of the Neuroradiology Department in Beaumont Hospital - all 3rd year Neuroradiology rotations have been suspended.
At this current time the Paediatric Rotations are still continuing as planned subject to local needs. Please discuss with your Local Education Coordinator. If you are unable to be released for your paediatric rotation, please advise the Paediatric Hospital and the Faculty.
Annual Assestments
The annual assessments are currently under discussion and we will advise SpRs and Trainers in due course. The assessments may be required to be done via video conference. SpRs please keep your logbooks and ePortfolio details up to date on MedHub.
SpRs will remain in their current posts until July 2020. Some flexibility will be afforded to SpRs who are unable to meet their mandatory curricular requirements (e.g. core rotations, courses) as a result of COVID-19.
If you have been deployed to another area and you are not in a position to fulfill your training requirements during this time, this will also be taken into consideration and discussed at your Annual Evaluation.
Multisource Feedback 360-Degree Feedback Programme for 2nd Year SpRs
Multisource feedback is an initiative that the Faculty of Radiologists has put in place as a mandatory requirement for satisfactory completion of 2nd year Radiology training.
The programme revolves around securing feedback from a variety of different colleagues, including consultant trainers, fellow SpR’s and non-radiologist colleagues with whom you work, followed by a debriefing session comparing expectations with results
On 13th March, you received an email from Real World Group – the Faculty’s administratve partner on the programme - requesting that you complete and return a reviewer details spreadsheet. That spreadsheet was due by 24th March. If you have not already done so, please complete your reviewer details spreadsheet as soon as possible. Once you have returned the spreadsheet, Real World Group will upload your reviewers immediately and you will receive an email from the MSF/360 system with your login details. You will have 5 weeks in which to gather your feedback.
Once you have received your invitation to the MSF/360 system (from This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), please remember to log in every 2-3 days to check who has completed, and to send reminders to those who haven’t yet. This is a vital aspect of the process, as circumstances are changing rapidly during the Covid-19 emergency.
If you have any questions, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Recruitment Process & Allocation of Training Posts for 2020/2021
All Interviews for our training programmes for the July 2020 intake have been completed.
The annual allocation of training posts has been completed and SpRs and training sites have already been notified about their July 2020 allocations.
We are currently working on the basis that the July 2020 changeover will go ahead as planned. Should we be directed to make any changes to the planned July 2020 allocations, we will notify all those concerned.
COVID-19 Impact on Examinations
Under the current situation, the Part I and Part II Diagnostic and Radiation Oncology exams planned for April and May have been suspended. It is proposed to hold these examinations in the Autumn. We will keep you updated in this regard.
Doctors on International Medical Graduate Training Initiative
There are a number of IMG Trainees who are enrolled on our International Medical Graduate Training Initiative working in training posts here in Ireland.
Out of Programme (OOPE)
SpRs Currently on OOPE and Returning Early From Overseas
SpRs who are currently on an out-of-programme year, and who decide to return to Ireland early, may be eligible for training credit. Returning SpRs need to contact the Faculty in this regard.
We suspect that there will be a number of SpRs who return early to support the Irish service during this period.
SpRs due to start Out of Clinical Programme Experience in July 2020
For those of you planning to go abroad for Out of Programme Experience (OOPE) if you haven’t applied for Pre-approval of your OOPE you will find the relevant form here: https://radiology.ie/images/uploads/2012/02/Out-of-Programme-Requirement-for-Pre-Approval.pdf You need to submit this form in time for the next Fellowship Advisory Committee Meeting in order to get same approved. The next FAC meeting is scheduled for 12th May 2020. Please submit your documents prior to this meeting to request approval.
Currently all approved Out of Programme Experience (OOPE) for July 2020 are expected to go ahead as planned unless the SpR informs us otherwise. We understand it may not be possible for all SpRs to move into their planned OOPE posts due to interruptions directly related to the COVID-19 situation.
If you cannot proceed with your OOPE please let your Local Coordinator and the Faculty office know as soon as you are aware of same, in order for the Faculty to assist with allocating you a training post in Ireland.
Return to Work Early i.e. Leaving Your OOPE Post/Maternity Leave Early
We are aware that some Trainees have suspended their current OOPE and have now returned to clinical practice. Others have made a decision to return to work early from maternity leave.
If you have recently moved from your OOPE post or maternity leave back into full time clinical practice please advise the Faculty Office and your Local Coordinator.
Specialist Training Fund Reimbursement
Trainees wishing to claim for their Specialist Training Fund can still do so. Claims are processed at the end of each month. The SpR fund guidance document, application form and banking details can be found here. If you have any questions on how much is left in your fund, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Trainee Lecture
The trainee lectures are in the process of being recorded and uploaded to PanaptoTM. A number of 1st year lectures are already available for viewing on PanaptoTM and any accompanying slides will be uploaded to MedHub, as approved by the lecturers. If you have any questions regarding accessing lectures, please email Cecelia Hartsell at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
MedHub
Access is still available to the eportfolio system Medhub. If you have any issues logging onto the system, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Contacting Us
The best way to reach us during the COVID-19 pandemic is by email. The Faculty is available during the normal working hours of Monday - Friday 9:00 - 17:00.
- Specialist Training Fund Reimbursement: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Diagnostic Training Programme Coordinator: Karen Milling This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Radiation Oncology Training Programme Coordinator: Lorraine Coughlan: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Multisource Feedback Project and Trainee Lectures: Cecelia Hartsell: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.